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Page 116
''As you will. Word comes there will be a new lord. True?"
Alinor laughed. "The birds fly swiftly with news from the keep. Yes, it is true. But I hold justice in my hands still. There is no need to concern yourself with the new lord other than to obey him if he give an order."
"As you will."
The innkeeper bowed himself back into his inn. At the door he paused a moment to watch Alinor. She did not go back up the steep road toward the keep. Her party turned instead to the west and threaded its way through the alleys. It would be well for him, the innkeeper thought, if the messenger fell into his hands. The Lady of Roselynde was very generous to those who served her well, and it was clear that this was a matter of importance. She was riding to alert the fisherfolk also.
Had he not paused to watch Alinor, the innkeeper might have noticed that two strangers were also interested in her movements. As it was, there was nothing to draw his attention to the face that they finished their ale and left almost as he cleared the doorway. He was more intent on spreading word of the wanted man among his "people"the beggars and petty thieves who made their livelihood off the merchants and sailors that came into Roselynde's excellent harbor.
Once out of the town, the strangers left the rough road that meandered toward the nearest fishing village and struck north. Somewhat less than a mile inland there was a small wood, actually a finger stretching down from the Forest of Bere. Here the two found the rest of their party and excitedly gave their news. The lady of the keep was out, with only five men. If they took her, the ransom would buy them all new farms and pay the taxes on them also for years ahead. There was some argument from the less bold members of the group. It seemed too dangerous an enterprise to attack a noblewoman. They had come hoping to raid a small

 
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